Tag Archive for: Discussion Questions

Lamplighters Week 1 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: Wake up sleeper, you have a purpose, you are a lamplighter.

Introduction: For Christians, there is a common thread in all our stories. Christ called us disciples and regardless of what our day-to-day walk looks like, we are ALL called to be His lamplighters.

Discussion Starter: Have you wondered what’s out there for you? What’s your purpose?  Is there a hole that you can’t seem to fill?  Does it seem like you go to church, you tithe, you pray and worship, you go to work, and you take care of your family, but something is still not right?


Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Psalm 119:105, John 8:12, 1 John 4:19, Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 28:16-20, Romans 1:16

Discussion Questions:

  1. Read Psalm 119:105 and John 8:12 What imagery do you get when reading these verses? Are there certain feelings that arise when you read them?
  2. Read 1 John 4:19 Why would we want to tell others about where they can find the light?

  3. Read Matthew 5:14-16 These verses have some powerful imagery as well. What do you see as you read these verses? Did you notice a change in the source of light from the verses in question 1?  What was different?
  4. Read Matthew 28:16-20 This is also referred to as the Great Commission. What is Jesus calling His disciples to do?
  5. Read Romans 1:16 Who is included in God’s Great Commission?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Psalm 119:105 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.


Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.

What it is that prevents you from being a lamplighter or a disciple? Talk about who you have a burden for in your life, at work, in your friend circle, or in your family. Pray for one another and pray for the opportunities and the boldness to talk with each of these people in your life.


Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: What ways can you serve at Faith Promise to help others grow their lights?

Engaging in Community and the World: In what ways can your small group, or even just you as an individual, go out into your day-to-day light and be a brighter light? If we are a city on a hill, what ways have we been trying to put a basket on our light during the work week? Can we boldly remove the basket?


Expand God’s Kingdom

We have lamplighters all over the world as Faith Promise missionaries. Pray for them. If being a missionary is something you have ever considered, find out more!


Leader’s Notes

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

Atomic Life Week 5 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: Discipline, or sanctification, is the process of replacing wrong habits and values learned in the world with holy habits.

Introduction: Everyone has habits whether you realize them or not.  You may call them routines, you may not call them anything. They are embedded routes our minds take with or without a level of consciousness.  Have you ever arrived somewhere and don’t remember the drive at all?

Discussion Starter: If we were to write down all our habits – good, bad, and ugly – from the start of the day to the time our heads hit the pillow; what would we discover about ourselves? What do our habits say about us?  What do we want them to say about us?


Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Hebrews 10:25, Acts 20:35, Luke 6:38, Acts 13:3, James 4:8, Psalm 1:2, Psalm 95:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:2 & Hebrews 5:14

Discussion Questions:

  1. Each of the 7 bible verses discusses one, or more, of the holy habits that Pastor Chris talks about in the sermon.  Read each of the verses and identify which discipline the verse is referring to. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Acts 20:35, Luke 6:38 & Acts 13:3, James 4:8, Psalm 1:2, & Psalm 95:1-2

  2. Are there other verses you can think of that highlight these habits?

  3. What is the importance of Hebrews 10:25 and how can we apply it to our lives? Think specifically about solidifying the holy habits in our lives.

  4. Using both of the scriptures from the sermon, 2 Timothy 2:2 & Hebrews 5:14, and applying them to our list of holy habits, what can we conclude?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Colossians 3 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.


Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.

Discuss a holy habit you want to focus on.  This habit should be prayed over and the one habit you will work on for 66 days.  Every day for 66 days you will pray about and work with God to change a worldly habit into a holy habit.  After all, not doing one of the disciplines is a worldly habit.  Come up with a game plan to encourage each other on your journey to solidify the habits in your life.  Will you text, call, FB messenger each other daily… weekly?  What will the accountability be for your group? As always, pray for the success of your brothers and sisters in Christ and that God’s Will will be done in their lives.


Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: Which of the holy habits can you participate more in at Faith Promise?  It could be one you do individually or one you do as a group.

Engaging in Community and the World: Easter is not too far around the corner.  Which of the holy habits can you implement between now and then to encourage others to learn more about Christ or to come to Faith Promise?


Expand God’s Kingdom

Spend some time praying for the missionaries this week. Pray for them as they are practicing holy disciplines/habits in different countries and teaching others.


Leader’s Notes

The holy habits that pastor Chris address in his sermon are

  1. Time with the Lord

  2. Time in the word

  3. Prayer

  4. Generosity

  5. Serving

  6. Worshiping

  7. Fasting

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

Atomic Life Week 2 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: Our habits with money reveal our affection and focus.

Introduction: Most of us are where we are with money because of our habits. Two habits that can help with the “habit of heaping” are budgeting and practicing contentment.

Discussion Starter: Money and finances are not something most American Christians are comfortable discussing. However, we see in Acts 4:32 that this was not the case for our early brothers and sisters. Furthermore, Jesus regularly talked about money and possessions. So, encourage one another in this discussion, and in the future, not to shame or be ashamed on this topic. What are you passionate about when money is not a concern?


Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Hebrews 5:14, John 10:10, Matthew 25:14-17 and 20-29, Luke 9:3

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the best financial advice you have ever been given? Do you have a budget? If you’re married, do you regularly discuss money/budgeting? If you have kids, do you talk to them about money/budgeting?
  2. When it comes to money, what habits do you want to change? What is one tangible action you can take this week to move closer to that goal? Keep in mind, a wise rule for goal-setting is to make “SMART” goals (Simple, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely).
  3. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Many of us have heard a twisted version of this Scripture that would say “money is the root of all evil.” However, the Word here says that it is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil. Most of us want money because of what it provides: freedom, comfort, control, and a host of other things. However, all of those things are actually found in God. What things in your life could be done away with if your greatest wealth was “godliness with contentment?”

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read 1 Timothy 6:6 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.


Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.

Discuss how your group can use its common interest to leverage money and resources in support of God’s Kingdom.


Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: As a group, reach out to your campus staff to see how the group can make a combined, financial impact at your campus.

Engaging in Community and the World: What is one area in your life where you should pursue contentment so that you can be a part of funding the work of God’s Kingdom in the community and around the world?


Expand God’s Kingdom

For those looking to disciple others, we tend to think that work should be heavily driven by deep theological discussions. These are good. However, a more effective tactic is using the Pauline method of “follow me as I follow Jesus.” The same principle holds true with how you view and use money. Identify someone who has just started the generosity journey and take them under your wing to show them how you tithe, give, and what God’s done in your life regarding your finances.


Leader’s Notes

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.

Finding Favor Week 4 – Discussion Guide

Getting Started

Main Idea: God’s Hand is outstretched and ready to touch you, right where you are.

Introduction: Through God’s hand, His favor is a force already at work. He’s ready to touch, heal, restore, and bring favor to every footstep in your walk, your family, and your ministry.

Discussion Starter: What is the number one distraction in your life?


Encounter God

Primary Scriptures: Psalm 90:17, Psalm 138:7-8, 1 Peter 2:9-10 & 11-12, Matthew 28:19-20

Discussion Questions

    1. There are 2 primary reasons we don’t take God’s outstretched hand: our hands are either, doing something that has taken God’s place, or they are in our pockets doing nothing. Which do you lean more heavily toward, busy/distracted or complacent? If you’re busy and distracted, what’s one thing you can stop doing in order to take God’s hand? If your hands are in your pockets and complacent, pray and seek God’s hand for where He should guide you.
    2. Pastor Chris showed us 3 ways that Christ-followers can reach out and take God’s hand: held up in surrender,  together in prayer, and extended out in service. What does it look like to surrender? How regular is your prayer life? When was the last time you served others? Search God’s Word for these 3 areas to align yourself with His calling for you.
    3. Read Psalm 138:7-8. Discuss God’s role and activity in this scripture. How can this scripture comfort you?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read 1 Peter 2:9 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.


Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.

Discuss the 3 ways that Pastor Chris said Christ-followers can reach out and take God’s hand: held up in surrender, together in prayer, and extended out in service. Then choose one to focus on this week as a group and communicate with each other about what God does as a result.


Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise: This weekend, Pastor Chris challenged us with the thought that, if we feel like God’s calling on our lives feels just out of reach, “have you stopped serving others?” If this is you, what is one thing you can do this week to serve someone?

Engaging in Community and the World: The hands or Christ-followers should be surrendered, prayerful, and serving. How can you and your group pursue God and meet our community and world in these 3 ways?


Expand God’s Kingdom

Read 1 Corinthians 11:1 If you are seeking to disciple others, are your hands occupied with something that should not be imitated? If so, take your hands out of your pockets or from doing what they should not and reach out to take God’s hand. As scary as it may be to tell someone, “Do what I do as I do what Christ did,” it is our calling.

Leader’s Notes

ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.

– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.

– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.

– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.

– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.